Rana’s Five-Wicket Haul Powers Bangladesh to Historic 104-Run Win Over Pakistan in 1st Test
Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 104 runs in a rain-affected and thrilling first Test in Dhaka on Tuesday, taking a 1–0 lead in the two-match series.
Pace bowler Nahid Rana produced a match-winning spell, claiming five wickets as Pakistan collapsed in the final session while chasing 268 runs for victory.
Pakistan Collapse After Promising Start
Pakistan were well placed at 119-3 before losing their final seven wickets for just 44 runs, getting bowled out for 163 in a dramatic fifth-day finish.
Debutant Abdullah Fazal fought hard with a valiant 66, forming a crucial 51-run partnership with Salman Agha (26), but once that stand broke, Pakistan’s innings unraveled quickly.
Rana’s Career-Best Spell
Nahid Rana delivered a career-best performance, finishing with 5-40 and turning the match decisively in Bangladesh’s favor.
His final spell proved devastating, taking four wickets for just 10 runs in 4.5 overs. He dismissed key batters including Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
One of his standout deliveries was a 147 kmph inswinging yorker that bowled Rizwan, widely seen as the turning point of the match.
Bangladesh Build the Advantage
Bangladesh had set a target after declaring their second innings at 240-9, having taken a 179-run lead into the final day.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led from the front with scores of 101 in the first innings and 87 in the second, guiding his team to a strong position.
Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also contributed with key wickets as Pakistan struggled under pressure on a deteriorating pitch.
Historic Win for Bangladesh
This victory marks Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win against Pakistan on home soil and only their third overall against them.
Captain Shanto praised the team’s progress, saying consistent hard work over recent months is beginning to show results in Test cricket.
The win also saw Shanto equal Mushfiqur Rahim’s record of seven Test victories as Bangladesh captain, achieved in far fewer matches.
Pakistan Reflect on Missed Opportunities
Pakistan captain Shan Masood admitted his side failed to capitalize on key moments in the match.
“When you have the game in your hands, you have to push the opposition away, but we failed to do that,” he said.
Despite scoring 386 in the first innings, Pakistan lost their advantage after Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s five-wicket haul and a series of batting collapses.
Series Moves to Sylhet
Rain affected play on days three and four, but Bangladesh maintained control throughout crucial phases of the match.
The second and final Test of the series will begin on Saturday in Sylhet.
